If you could change anything about the current Combat Uniform, what would it be and why?

2018-12-29T00:40:39-05:00

I love the current Combat Uniform...however, I dislike a few things. If I could change some things, here are a few.

1) No More Velcro. It's not tactical.
2) No Zippers. Button up. If one tooth on a zipper breaks midway up, the entire garment is essentially trashed.
3) Move rank patch from chest to collar so that it's easier to see and you don't have to stare at someone's chest to figure out their rank. What about you? PFC Private RallyPoint Member SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL SSG(P) James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4" LTC Stephen F. CPL Dave Hoover SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth PVT James Strait SSG Private RallyPoint Member Capt Dwayne Conyers CPT Jack Durish

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Dec 29 at 2018 12:46 AM

2018-12-29T00:46:05-05:00

To be honest rank on combat uniforms does not make a lot of sense if it could be visible from more than 10 feet away, my friend SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member

Response by MAJ Javier Rivera made Dec 29 at 2018 12:49 AM

2018-12-29T00:49:48-05:00

I would take today’s fabrics and camo patterns and use them in the old BDU.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 29 at 2018 12:52 AM

2018-12-29T00:52:10-05:00

CPL Voye, I would just adopt the Tropical Weather ACU they use out in Shoffield Barracks, HI. They removed the front pockets on the blouse, and reinforced a few critical elements. My favorite however, is the flap-styled packets on the shoulders. I strongly dislike the zipper configuration.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 29 at 2018 12:59 AM

2018-12-29T00:59:36-05:00

Put the drawstrings back in the pants

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 29 at 2018 12:59 AM

2018-12-29T00:59:46-05:00

I hate the zipper pockets on the sleeves.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 29 at 2018 1:20 AM

2018-12-29T01:20:31-05:00

I’d replace them with or make them more similar to the A2CUs.

Response by SMSgt Thor Merich made Dec 29 at 2018 1:31 AM

2018-12-29T01:31:26-05:00

The Air Force recently changed to the Army’s OCP uniform. Although full transition will take several years. However, those of us in AFSOC have been wearing it for a few years already. My #1 complaint is the rank on the chest. It’s difficult to see and requires uncomfortable staring to determine someone’s rank. I foresee that the Air Force will eventually move the rank to the sleeves where it has always been for us.

I also don’t like the rear slanted pockets on the arms (as opposed to the forward slanted ones of previous uniforms).

The Velcro has got to go. I have noticed that many folks in both the Army and Air Force have taken to sewing down the name tapes, ranks, and other badges to avoid the Velcro issues.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 29 at 2018 1:48 AM

2018-12-29T01:48:06-05:00

I would remove the IR square and flap that can cover it.

Response by SMSgt Lawrence McCarter made Dec 29 at 2018 2:07 AM

2018-12-29T02:07:06-05:00

I have been bothered by patterns that had colors that didn't appear in nature and blended with nothing. I tend to think the Marines do the best job finding patterns and colors that do blend and that has served as a good example. With more and more joint service operations a least a standard color and pattern to fit the operating area and only insignia and rank designating the individual service. Never mind Velcro insignia, having it sewn on is a lot better. Rank Insignia, what about how the Marines display it, on the collar but in a form that can pinned on where it can be seen and be removed if the need arises. I have mixed feeling on the rank showing as in combat especially with people You may not know You may need that information Yourself to ID those that would be in charge or senior to You. There isn't time to try and figure that out in combat which is much of the reason there is that rank insignia in the first place. It doesn't have to be large but at least be in a place so that people in Your immediate area can see it and not hidden under Your equipment such as having it on Your chest would do.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 29 at 2018 3:28 AM

2018-12-29T03:28:06-05:00

Sounds like you like a lot of the aspects of the Marine Corps Uniform and I totally agree. I've already had my name tape sewn on my back pocket and I'd honestly like to see a sharper looking PC. I wish that the undershirt could double as the PT uniform shirt too. It's also hell for me to roll my sleeves; but i might just need to get a bigger blouse to fit my arms lol.

Response by Maj John Bell made Dec 29 at 2018 5:15 AM

2018-12-29T05:15:00-05:00

Disclaimer: Sorry, as a Marine it is my sworn duty to bust on a soldier anytime an Army "fashion" question pops up.

Unisex pullover jumper - No velcro, No zipper, Name Tape on the leather arm bracelet and the necklace. Change the black leather stiletto heels to black suede stiletto heels. Breaks up the silhouette nicely.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Dec 29 at 2018 6:03 AM

2018-12-29T06:03:42-05:00

Ditch the coloration, and go back to the old BDU pattern and color.

Response by CPL Dave Hoover made Dec 29 at 2018 6:39 AM

2018-12-29T06:39:15-05:00

BDU'S.

Response by SGT Michael Thorin made Dec 29 at 2018 8:56 AM

2018-12-29T08:56:07-05:00

As a 19D, we all got excited about ACU’s when they came out. How comfortable they would be, and the extra pockets on the uniform. The ability to simply take patches off for a sterile uniform when missions required it because of the Velcro patches was icing to the cake. On the outside, it looked like a dream. Then we heard the pockets would be Velcro, and we began to question this decision. Then, the rank being placed on the chest was another problem.

Sure enough, the problems we predicted were problems indeed. The Velcro in a tactical environment is a dead giveaway, because there is no animal or natural sound that sounds like Velcro. Anytime you had to access something from the pocket, suddenly the tearing sound that Velcro makes was broadcast across what felt like a 25 mile radius, LOL.

At any rate, I believe you hit on everything I believe are downfalls, and given some simple solutions. I believe rank and patches are fine for Velcro. They can even use your idea and simply put a small square Velcro area on the collars and keep the Velcro rank. Traditionally, you do not have to worry about changing patches in a tactical environment.

Your suggestions all look good to me SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member.

COL Mikel J. Burroughs,SPC Douglas Bolton,Brig Gen Jim Jaeger,CPT Jack Durish,Maj Marty Hogan,SPC Christopher Smith,Lt Col Charlie Brown,Cpl Scott McCarroll,SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth,SP5 Mark Kuzinski,PVT Mark Brown,SGT Elizabeth Scheck,PFC Jacob Wrubel,MSgt Ken "Airsoldier" Collins-Hardy,SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL,SSG William Jones,TSgt Joe C.,SSgt Robert Marx

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 29 at 2018 11:10 AM

2018-12-29T11:10:26-05:00

I think the chest pockets should be zippered or have a button or something. They aren’t that easy to open with the Velcro.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 29 at 2018 11:35 AM

2018-12-29T11:35:33-05:00

If I could change anything? Your list is everything I would change

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 29 at 2018 11:47 AM

2018-12-29T11:47:32-05:00

I wouldn't mind going back to the BDU style with the new OCP pattern.
With rank/branch insignia on the collars.
Nobody needs shoulder pockets or Velcro in the office, no one is changing unit patches or rank that often.
And the additional level 9 uniforms are better designed for body armor and kit than the OCP ACU.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Dec 29 at 2018 1:07 PM

2018-12-29T13:07:34-05:00

Service members who have nice clean desk jobs should wear their Service uniforms instead of work or combat uniform. If your job requires you work in an office environment and your greatest danger of getting your uniform dirty happens if you have chili for lunch, then you should wear you Service uniform.

The color of the rank on the new AF work uniform strikes me as strange and it's hard to distinguish from more than 3 feet away. The "spice" color for officer rank except for 1st Lt and Lt Col, just looks wrong. The ranks that are normally silver should be black and those that are normally gold should be the new spice color. The enlisted chevrons should be black on a spice background.

Response by SPC Brent Melton made Dec 29 at 2018 11:51 PM

2018-12-29T23:51:22-05:00

My reasons on this are completely non-military related, but I'd agree with the removal of velcro. I collect uniforms from OEF/OIF and the fight against ISIS and velcro is a nightmare to deal with. If someone wants, they can make a power tower uniform with little to no problem. When the army went back to sew on, it was a partial victory as its tougher to both sew on and remove bits. Also a lot of the time the seller is the service member themselves, and can give their history to keep with their uniforms if they so choose.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 30 at 2018 6:41 PM

2018-12-30T18:41:42-05:00

Get rid of the chest pockets on the tops and replace the lower pockets. They were more utile with the IOTVs and easilty accessable in a plate carrier. I'n told you can reach the top pockets with the IOVT and plate carriers on, but why go through it? Put some common sence to the test.